Governments join forces after gunmen kidnap 20 prospective NYSC members travelling along the Owerri-Onitsha Road.
The Oyo State Government is working closely with the Imo State Government and security agencies to secure the safe release of 20 prospective corps members originally from Oyo State, who were abducted in Imo State, according to information published by punchng.
The incident occurred on Thursday when gunmen attacked two buses carrying the graduates along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, while they were travelling from Ibadan to their designated NYSC orientation camps.
Following the attack, the abductors demanded a ransom of N50m for each victim, totaling an alarming N1bn, prompting immediate bilateral discussions between state authorities to resolve the crisis safely.
Interstate Security Collaboration
Dotun Oyelade, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, disclosed in a statement issued in Ibadan on Sunday that both state administrations are maintaining close government-to-government contact while engaging security apparatuses in both regions.
Oyelade stated that Oyo State is volunteering templates and experiences garnered during the previous Oriire kidnapping incident, aiming to leverage past crisis management strategies to secure the freedom of the captured graduates.
Inquiry Reports and Ransom Demands
The commissioner also noted that the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the abduction, submitted last week by the panel led by Hon. Justice (Professor) Mojeed Owoade, is proving useful in these ongoing bilateral discussions.
The kidnapping came to light after Isiah Akpan, the Managing Director of Uko Akwa Ibom Motors Nigeria Limited, confirmed that armed men intercepted the company vehicles and seized the passengers travelling for national service.
Federal Government Responsibility
Addressing the delicate nature of the rescue mission, Oyelade explained that governments do not ordinarily disclose all measures being taken, particularly when public disclosures could compromise ongoing security operations.
He emphasized that the main focus should remain on the Federal Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, who bear primary responsibility for national security and swift actions during crises.
Broader Insecurity Concerns
Governor Seyi Makinde recently appealed to President Bola Tinubu to expedite action on other mass abductions, including 40 Borno students kidnapped on May 15, coinciding with a separate attack in Oriire Local Government Area.
Despite challenges such as IED threats reported near the abductors camp in Delta State, authorities maintain that stakeholders will continue cooperating to ensure the safe return of all abducted citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the 20 corps members in Imo State?
Gunmen attacked two buses conveying 20 prospective NYSC members along the Owerri-Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Imo State, abducting them while they travelled from Ibadan to their orientation camps.
How much are the kidnappers demanding as ransom?
The abductors have demanded N50m for each victim, which amounts to a total ransom of N1bn for the safe release of the 20 graduates.
How are Oyo and Imo states responding to the abduction?
The Oyo State Government is working closely with the Imo State Government, security agencies, and insights from the Mojeed Owoade judicial panel to secure the safe return of the victims.
